When I'm not parenting, I'm working. Or doing laundry.

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When your efforts aren’t appreciated

When you’re a parent, eventually you have to accept that a vast majority of the things you do for your kids will be ignored, resented or taken for granted. It doesn’t feel fair. I kill myself day and night only to get a shrug at best, outright hostility at worst. Honestly, it’s as if my kids think I wake up in the morning thinking, “How can I make them miserable today? I know, I’ll make them wear winter coats!”

Managing employees can feel a bit like that, too. Sometimes it seems that no matter how hard you try to be fair and friendly everyone has a complaint. This is particularly true when the business is going through a change of some kind. You know how much everyone likes change!

I’ve worked with many a business owner who feels resentful, alone and frustrated when that happens. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Be friendly but know that your role is not that of a friend. You have to balance your employees’ interests with those of the business and your own. Not easy, but that’s why your name is on the building.

Sometimes all people need is to be heard. Listen to what they have to say and respectively disagree if you need to.

Stand firmly behind your decisions. Don’t waver. If you don’t seem committed to them no one else will be either.

If you find you’ve made a bad decision fix it and move on. Acknowledge the change but don’t apologize for it. Everyone, even the boss, makes mistakes from time to time.

I would love to write more but I’m traveling this weekend and before I go I have to complete my scheduled work, clean the house, finish the laundry, pick up some groceries, and produce a helpful household schedule that no one will read. A good day’s work – not that anyone will appreciate it.